Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-12-15

ton of other tariff laws. In the
meantime, the day strives when the
farmer finds it necessary to purchase
WOODEN goods and material to clothe him
self and family for the winter. When he
faces the tradesman for that purpose he
discovers that he is obliged, not only to
return in the way of increased prices his
tariff profit on the wool he sold, which
then perhaps, lies before him in manu-
featured form, but that he must add q
considerable sum thereto to meet fur
ther increase in cost, caused by tariff
duty on the manufactures. Thus IN the
end he is aroused to the fact that he
has paid upon a moderate purchase
as result of the tariff scheme,
which when he sold his wool
seemed so profitable an increase in
price, more than sufficient TO sweep away
all the tariff profit he received upon the
wool he produced and sold. WheR the
number of farmers engaged in wool rails
ing is compared with all the farmers in
.he country, and the small proportion
they bear to our population is considered;
when it is made apparent that in the case
Of large part of those who own sheep,
the benefit Of the present tariff on wool is
illusOry, and above all, when il must be
conceded that the increase Of the cost of
living caused by such tariff becomes a
burden upon those with moderate means,
and the poor, the EN- ployed and the I'M
employed, the sick and well, and the
youEg aid old, and that it constitutes a
tax, which with relentless grasp, is fas-
tened upon the clothing of every man,
woman and child in she land, reasons
are suggested why the removal or reduo
ton of this duty should be included in a
revision of our tariff laws.
INCREASED COST TO CONSUMERS.
In speaking of the increased cost
to the consumer of our home man.
ufactures, resulting from Il duty
laid upon imported articles of the
same description, the fact is not over
looked that com petition among our do
mestic producers sometimes has the effect
of keeping the price Of their products
below the highest limit allowed by such
duty. But it is notorious that this com
petition is too often strangled by combi-
nations quite prevalent at this time, and
frequently called trusts, which have for
their object the regulation of the supply
and price of commodities made and sold by
members of the combin alton. The people
can hardly hope for any consideration IN
the operation of these selfish schemers.
If known in the absence of such combina-
ton healthy and free ompetition re-
duoes the prices of any particular duti-
able article Of home production below the
limit which it might otherwise reach
under our tariff laws, and if with such
reduced price it's manufacture con-
tinues to thrive it is entirely
evident that one thing has been
u
scrutinized in an effort to reduce taxa
ton. The necessity of combination to
maintain the price OF any commodity TO
the tariff point furnishes proof that some
enc is willing TO accept lower prices for
such commodity and that such prices are
remun erative, and later prices produced
Thus where either of these conditions
exist, case weuld seem to be presented
for an easy reduction of taxation.
The considerations which have been
presented touching our tariff laws are in
tended only to enforce an earnest recog-
milton that he surplus revenue of the
government be prevented by the REDUCE
ton of our customs duties, and at the
same time to emphasize q suggestion
that we are accomplishing this purpose.
We may discharge double duty to our
people by granting to them measure Of
relief from tariff taxation In quarters
where it is most needed, and from sources
where it cannot fairly and justly be &C
corded. Nor can the presentation made
of such consideration be with any degree
of fairness regarded as evidence of I'M
friendiiness toward our manufacturing
interests, or of any lack of appreciation
of their value and Importance; these
interests constitute leading and most
substantial element of.
OUR NATIONAL GREATNESS,
and furnished the proud proof of our
country's progress. But if in the emer-
gency that presses upon US our manufac-
turers are asked TO surrender something
for the public good, and to divert disas
ter, their patriotism, as well as a grateful
recognition of advantages already af-
fo1ded, should lead them to be willing.
No demand is made that they shall
forego all the benefits of governmental
regard, but they cannot fail to be admon-
ished of their duty as well as their en-
lightened self-interest and safety, when
they are reminded of the fact that fnan-
cial panic and collapse, to which the pres
ent condition affords no greater pro-
lection to our manufactures than
to our other important enterprises. The
opportunity for safe, careful and delib-
crate reform is now offered, and none of
us should be unmindful Of a time when
an abused and irritated people, needless
of those who have received timely and
reasonable relief, may insist upon radi-
cal and sweeping reotifcation of their
wrongs. The difficulty attending wise
and fair revision of our tariff laws
is not under estimated. 1t will re-
quire on the part of the congress
greas labor and care, and especially
broad and national contemplation of the
subject, and patriotic disregard OF such
local and selfish claims as are unreason-
able and reckless of the welfare of the
entire country. Under our present laws
more than
FOUR THOUSAND ARTICLES
are subject to duty. Many of these do
not in any way CONF pete with our own man
ufaetures, and many are hardly worth at
tention as subjects of revenue. con-
siderable reduction can be made in the
aggregate by adding them to the free
list The taxation of Injuries present
no features of hardship, but the necesi
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